Can Less Really Be More? Testing Krave Beauty’s Minimalist Approach to Glowing Skin

Hello, lovely readers! It’s Sarah here, back with another beauty chat. Today, I’m putting the kettle on for a proper deep dive into a topic I find absolutely fascinating: skincare minimalism.

If you’ve ever scrolled through Instagram or TikTok, you’ll have seen the famous “10-step skincare routines.” They’re everywhere! It can feel like you need a cabinet full of lotions and potions just to have okay skin. It’s overwhelming, it’s expensive, and honestly, it’s exhausting.

But what if there was another way? What if, instead of using ten products, you could use just a few really, really good ones? This is the philosophy behind a cult-favourite brand called Krave Beauty. Their whole idea is “press reset on your skincare.” I was so intrigued that I decided to test their minimalist approach for a full month.

So, grab a cuppa, get comfy, and let’s find out if using less can actually give you more. More glow, more health, and more peace of mind.

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Who is Krave Beauty? It’s Not Just Another Brand

Before we talk about the products, it’s important to know the story. Krave Beauty was founded by Liah Yoo, a huge YouTube skincare expert. After years of trying every product under the sun, she realised her skin was actually suffering from too much. It was red, angry, and sensitive—a classic case of overdoing it.

She couldn’t find a brand that focused on simple, effective, and gentle skincare. So, she created her own! Krave Beauty is built on a few core principles that really resonate with me:

1. Skin First: It’s not about trends. It’s about what your skin truly needs to be healthy.
2. Less is More: A few well-chosen products are better than a complicated routine.
3. Transparency: They are completely open about what’s in their products and why it’s there. No magic tricks, just good science.
4. Sustainability: They think about the planet, using recycled packaging and aiming to reduce waste.

You can watch Liah explain her journey on her YouTube channel, which is a treasure trove of honest skincare advice.

My Mission: The One-Month Krave Beauty “Reset”

I have what I’d call “confused” skin. It can be a bit dry, a bit oily, and sometimes it gets red and bumpy for what feels like no reason at all. I decided to strip everything back and use only Krave Beauty products for four whole weeks.

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My routine was super simple:

AM Routine:

1. Cleanser: Krave Beauty Matcha Hemp Hydrating Cleanser
2. Serum: Krave Beauty Great Barrier Relief
3. Moisturiser: Krave Beauty Oat So Simple Water Cream
4. Sunscreen: Krave Beauty The Beet Shield (more on this later!)

PM Routine:

1. Cleanser: Krave Beauty Matcha Hemp Hydrating Cleanser
2. Serum: Krave Beauty Great Barrier Relief
3. Moisturiser: Krave Beauty Oat So Simple Water Cream

That’s it! Just three core products, plus sunscreen in the morning. No toners, no exfoliating acids, no eye creams, no face mists. Nothing. Let’s break down each product and my experience.

The Deep Dive: Testing Each Krave Beauty Product

1. Krave Beauty Matcha Hemp Hydrating Cleanser

• What It Is: A gentle, water-based daily cleanser.
• The Promises: To clean your skin without stripping it of its natural oils. It promises to leave your skin feeling calm, hydrated, and comfortable—not tight and squeaky.
• My Experience: Okay, I’ll be honest. I was sceptical. I usually go for foaming cleansers that give me that “super clean” feeling. This one is different. It has a gel-like consistency that lathers just a tiny bit. It smells very faintly of matcha, which is lovely. After rinsing, my skin didn’t feel tight or dry at all. It just felt… clean and soft. It was like giving my face a gentle hug. After a week, I was converted. I finally understood that that tight feeling I thought was “clean” was actually my skin being dried out!
• Best For: Everyone! Especially those with dry, sensitive, or dehydrated skin. If you have very oily skin, you might prefer it as a morning cleanser.

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2. Krave Beauty Great Barrier Relief

• What It Is: A serum specifically designed to repair your skin’s protective barrier.
• The Promises: This is the star of the show. It’s like a rescue treatment for unhappy skin. It uses ingredients like Tamanu Oil, Niacinamide, and Safflower Oil to soothe redness, reduce irritation, and strengthen your skin’s defences. A healthy barrier means hydrated, plump, and resilient skin.
• My Experience: This product has a cult following for a reason. It has a thick, oily texture and a unique, nutty smell from the Tamanu Oil (it grows on you, I promise!). I used this twice a day. Within the first week, the random redness on my cheeks had calmed down significantly. The little bumpy texture I had was starting to smooth out. It felt like this serum was actually fixing the problems instead of just covering them up. It’s not a magic overnight cure, but after a month, my skin genuinely felt stronger and less reactive.
• Best For: Anyone with a damaged skin barrier, dryness, redness, sensitivity, or eczema. It’s a miracle worker for stressed-out skin.

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3. Krave Beauty Oat So Simple Water Cream

• What It Is: A no-fuss, lightweight moisturiser.
• The Promises: To deliver hydration without any irritants. It’s formulated with just ten ingredients, so it’s perfect for even the most sensitive skin. It doesn’t claim to do anything fancy—just to moisturise effectively.
• My Experience: This is the definition of minimalist. It’s a light cream that absorbs quickly and doesn’t leave any greasy residue. It played beautifully under my makeup. Because it’s so simple, it let the Great Barrier Relief serum do all the repair work without interfering. It was the perfect comforting final step to my routine. If you love moisturisers with lots of active ingredients or a rich feel, this might be too simple for you. But for its purpose—pure, gentle hydration—it’s perfect.
• Best For: Sensitive skin, oily skin (as it’s lightweight), and anyone who reacts to complex moisturiser formulas.

4. Krave Beauty The Beet Shield (Sunscreen)

• A Quick Note: This product had a bit of a reformulation and rebrand. It was previously called “The Beet Shield” and is now being re-released. In the EU and UK, sunscreen is classified as a medicine, so it can be tricky for overseas brands to sell here. You can often find it on Cult Beauty or Skin Cupid when it’s in stock.
• What It Is: A lightweight, daily sunscreen lotion.
• The Promises: To offer high-level protection against UVA and UVB rays (SPF50+ PA++++!) without leaving a white cast or feeling heavy and greasy.
• My Experience: I managed to get my hands on a bottle before it sold out, and it’s one of the best sunscreens I’ve ever used. It feels like a light moisturiser, absorbs instantly, and works perfectly under makeup. It never pilled or made my skin look shiny. It’s a shame it’s hard to get in the UK, but it’s a testament to Krave’s ethos of creating fantastic core products.

The Verdict: Did The Minimalist Approach Work?

After four weeks of this simple routine, I can confidently say: Yes, it absolutely worked.

Here’s what changed:

• The Redness Was Gone: The persistent redness on my cheeks and around my nose had virtually disappeared.
• My Skin Was Softer: The bumpy texture was much smoother.
• No More “Bad Skin Days”: My skin just felt consistently calm and happy. There were no surprise breakouts or dry patches.
• I Saved Time and Money: My morning routine was down to 5 minutes. I wasn’t constantly buying new products to try.
• I Understood My Skin Better: By stripping everything back, I learned what my skin actually needs to thrive: gentle cleansing, barrier support, hydration, and sun protection. That’s it!

Who is This Approach BEST For?

The Krave Beauty minimalist routine isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution, but it’s perfect for:

• Skincare Beginners: This is the perfect place to start. You only need a few products!
• Those with Sensitive or Reactive Skin: If your skin gets red and angry easily, this gentle approach could be a game-changer.
• Anyone Overwhelmed by Skincare: If you have a cabinet full of products you don’t use, this is your sign to press reset.
• People with a Damaged Skin Barrier: If your skin feels tight, looks flaky, and stings when you put products on, Great Barrier Relief will be your best friend.

What This Approach Might Be Missing

A purely minimalist routine might not be enough for everyone. You might need to add a targeted product for:

• Acne: If you are prone to breakouts, you might still need a dedicated treatment like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. Krave Beauty doesn’t have a product for this yet.
• Anti-Ageing: If tackling fine lines and wrinkles is your main goal, you might want to add a retinoid or a potent antioxidant serum after your skin barrier is healthy.
• Hyperpigmentation: For dark spots and sun damage, you’d likely need a dedicated ingredient like vitamin C, azelaic acid, or tranexamic acid.

The key is to get your skin healthy and strong first with a simple routine. Then, you can slowly introduce one active ingredient at a time to address specific concerns.

How to “Press Reset” on Your OWN Skincare

You don’t have to buy Krave Beauty to adopt this philosophy (though their products are lovely!). Here’s how you can build a minimalist routine with products you might already have:

1. Gentle Cleanser: Find a cleanser that doesn’t leave your skin feeling tight. Look for hydrating ingredients like ceramides or hyaluronic acid. The Inkey List’s Fulvic Acid Cleanser is a great UK-friendly option available at Cult Beauty.
2. Barrier-Restoring Serum: Look for a serum with ceramides, cholesterol, fatty acids, niacinamide, or squalane. The Ordinary’s Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% is a popular and effective choice, also available at Boots.
3. Simple Moisturiser: Use a basic moisturiser that focuses on hydration without a long list of potential irritants. Simple Kind to Skin Hydrating Light Moisturiser is a classic, brilliant, and affordable UK drugstore find from Superdrug.
4. Sunscreen: This is non-negotiable! Find a formula you enjoy wearing every single day. Garnier Ambre Solaire Super UV Anti-Dark Spots & Anti-Pollution Face Fluid SPF50+ is a fantastic, lightweight option available at Boots and Superdrug.

Final Thoughts: Is Less More?

My month with Krave Beauty taught me a valuable lesson. I spent years throwing products at my skin, hoping the next one would be the solution. But the real solution was to stop, listen, and give my skin a chance to heal itself.

We don’t need twelve products. We need a few good ones, used consistently. We need patience. And most importantly, we need to remember that skincare is about health, not perfection.

So, can less be more? For my skin, the answer was a resounding yes. More glow, more comfort, and more confidence.

Have you ever tried a minimalist skincare routine? What are your holy grail simple products? Let me know over on my Instagram [@YourBlogName]—I love hearing from you!

Now, I’m off to enjoy this cuppa. It’s gone cold, but that’s what the microwave is for!

FAQ: Your Krave Beauty and Skincare Minimalism Questions, Answered

Navigating a minimalist skincare routine can bring up a lot of questions, especially when it goes against the grain of the 10-step routines we often see. Here are some of the most common queries I received during my testing month, answered in depth.

1. I have acne-prone skin. Is a minimalist routine like this effective for breakouts?

This is a fantastic question. A minimalist routine might not directly treat active, inflamed breakouts in the same way a targeted spot treatment with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide would. Krave Beauty’s lineup is primarily focused on barrier repair and hydration, not on exfoliating or clearing pores.

However, there’s a powerful indirect benefit. Many people with acne inadvertently damage their skin barrier by using too many harsh, stripping products (strong acids, physical scrubs, etc.). A compromised barrier can lead to more inflammation, redness, and even more breakouts as bacteria easily penetrate the skin. By using Krave’s gentle approach, you strengthen your skin’s natural defences, reduce overall inflammation, and create a healthier canvas. Once your barrier is solid, you can then slowly reintroduce a single acne-fighting treatment.

2. Can I really get away without using an exfoliant (like an AHA/BHA)?

For a period of time, yes, absolutely. The goal of this “reset” is to give your skin a break from all potential irritants, and exfoliants are among the most potent. Constant exfoliation without proper recovery can thin your stratum corneum (the outermost layer of skin) and weaken your barrier.

During my month with Krave, I didn’t exfoliate once. My skin’s natural renewal process wasn’t being interrupted, and the Great Barrier Relief helped to gently slough away dead skin cells by supporting healthy turnover. For many, this is enough. After your reset month, if you feel you need more radiance or help with texture, you can cautiously add an exfoliant once a week and see how your newly resilient skin responds.

3. How does this routine address anti-ageing concerns like fine lines and wrinkles?

This approach addresses anti-ageing from the inside out. The number one cause of premature ageing is sun damage, which is why daily sunscreen (like The Beet Shield) is the most crucial anti-ageing step in any routine.

Secondly, a plump, well-hydrated skin cell reflects light better, making fine lines less visible. The Oat So Simple Water Cream and Great Barrier Relief provide deep hydration, which can minimise the appearance of lines. Furthermore, a strong skin barrier is better able to defend against environmental ageing factors like pollution. While this routine doesn’t contain targeted actives like retinoids or peptides, it creates the optimal foundation for them to work effectively later without causing irritation.

4. Is Krave Beauty available and easy to get in the UK?

This is the biggest practical hurdle for UK-based fans. Krave Beauty is based in the US and does not have an official UK stockist due to regulatory differences, especially concerning sunscreen (which is classified as a medicine here). You must order directly from the Krave Beauty website, which involves international shipping costs and potential customs fees. It requires a bit more planning and investment than popping to Boots, but for many, the product quality justifies the hassle.

5. What about double cleansing? Should I use an oil cleanser before the Matcha Hemp Cleanser?

The Matcha Hemp Hydrating Cleanser is a water-based cleanser designed to remove skincare, light makeup, and daily grime. If you wear heavy, waterproof makeup or sunscreen every day, double cleansing is a excellent practice for ensuring a truly clean canvas.

You could absolutely use a gentle oil-based cleanser as a first step before the Krave cleanser. In fact, this would align with the brand’s philosophy of gentle cleansing. You don’t need a Krave product for this; a UK-friendly option like The Inkey List’s Oat Cleansing Balm would be a perfect first step.

6. My skin feels oilier than usual. Is this normal?

Yes, this can be a temporary but normal part of the adjustment period! If you’ve been using harsh products that strip your skin, your oil glands may have been overproducing oil to compensate for the dryness. When you switch to a hydrating, non-stripping routine, it can take your skin a week or two to recalibrate and realise it doesn’t need to produce as much oil. Stick with it; your skin should balance out as your barrier repairs itself.

7. Can I mix Krave Beauty with other brands in my routine?

The point of the “reset” is to simplify and eliminate variables, so for the first month, I recommend using the products alone to truly see their effect. However, Krave’s philosophy isn’t dogmatic. Once your skin is reset and stable, their products are fantastic bases to build upon. You could easily add a vitamin C serum in the morning or a retinoid at night alongside the Great Barrier Relief and Oat So Simple Water Cream.

8. How long does a bottle of Great Barrier Relief typically last?

A little goes a very long way. You only need 2-3 drops for your entire face. Used once a day, a bottle could easily last 3-4 months. Used twice daily, you’re likely looking at a solid 2-3 months of use, making it a worthwhile investment.

9. Is this routine suitable for very dry skin?

The Matcha Hemp Cleanser and Great Barrier Relief are excellent for dry skin. The Oat So Simple Water Cream, however, is intentionally very lightweight. Those with severely dry skin might find they need a richer, more emollient moisturiser on top of it or instead of it, especially in the winter. The routine is a perfect starting framework, but you should always listen to your skin’s needs and add more hydration if necessary.

10. What’s the first sign that this routine is working?

For most people, the first noticeable change is a reduction in redness and irritation and a change in texture. Your skin will start to feel softer and smoother to the touch, even if visual imperfections are still present. This is a sign that your barrier is starting to heal and hold onto hydration more effectively. The “glow” follows later, as healthier skin naturally reflects more light.